Valdes has been training with Manchester United for some time now, with the ex-Barcelona shot-stopper recovering from a knee injury he suffered during the tail end of last season.

It was originally believed that he would join van Gaal at Old Trafford, but recent reports have suggested he is more likely to end up at Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The Dutch manager is furious over suggestions that Brendan Rodgers has beaten him to the signing of Valdes; claiming that he was never interested in the experienced goalkeeper, and that the rumours of United’s interest were invented by the media anyway.

“It’s only talk from you,” he said.

“Not from us, not from Valdes, only the media. I’m not here to inform the media. You have to wait and listen and see.

“If Liverpool are interested, he goes to Liverpool. The media are suggesting and that’s a big mistake.

“That’s why I’m always angry because you are inventing stories. There are no stories.”

The Merseyside club are certainly in need of a keeper at the moment, with Simon Mignolet’s form taking a serious dip this season.